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| Bridging Connectivity & Healthcare- Sudarshan Setu & AIIMS Inaugurations |
On February 24th, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Sudarshan Setu bridge, a monumental infrastructure project spanning the Gulf of Kutch and linking the Dwarka mainland to Beyt Dwarka Island off the coast of Gujarat. This engineering marvel, stretching over 2 kilometers, stands as India's longest cable-stayed road bridge.
Originally designated as the 'Signature Bridge', it was rechristened as the 'Sudarshan Setu' in honor of its significance. The project, sanctioned in 2017 at an estimated cost of ₹979 crores, was meticulously executed by Larsen & Toubro under the oversight of the Roads and Building Department of Gujarat.
The Sudarshan Setu comprises a 27-meter wide, four-lane structure, boasting a central double-span cable-stayed portion spanning 900 meters, coupled with a 2.45-kilometer-long approach road. Its strategic location substantially reduces the distance between old and new Dwarka, by nearly 80 kilometers, thereby enhancing connectivity and accessibility for tourists and Hindu pilgrims visiting the revered Dwarkadhish Temple.
Distinguished by its incorporation of cultural elements, the Sudarshan Setu features 2.50-meter-wide pedestrian footpaths adorned with verses from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna, reflecting the historical significance of Dwarka.
Moreover, the bridge sets a benchmark in marine safety engineering, employing advanced aerodynamic techniques tested in wind tunnels to withstand extreme weather conditions prevalent along India's western seaboard, ensuring its resilience against cyclones and other natural calamities.
Furthermore, the Sudarshan Setu's design seamlessly integrates with proposed roll-on-roll-off ferry routes, facilitating smooth cross-gulf transportation of people and cargo, thereby enhancing connectivity between the mainland and Beyt Dwarka island township.
In addition to the inauguration of the Sudarshan Setu, Prime Minister Modi also marked the opening of Gujarat's first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot, along with four other AIIMS campuses in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, heralding a new era in healthcare infrastructure across the nation.